Ramaphosa Warns Rich Nations Against 'Hoarding' Covid19 Vaccines
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a virtual State of the World Address to the World Economic Forum
- The President shared the outlook for the nation's economic recovery amid the Covid-19 pandemic
- Ramaphosa condemned richer nation's 'hoarding' the critical vaccines
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a virtual State of the World Address to the World Economic Forum on Tuesday.
Source: UGC
Ramaphosa revealed the outlook for SA's economic recovery amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and explored the African Union's achievements as its current and outgoing Chairperson.
During his address, Ramaphosa noted that the Coronavirus crisis had deepened inequality:
"We must forge a new path and a new design to a world that is just, peaceful, cohesive, resilient and sustainable."
The President says that the pandemic had highlighted the importance of multilateral institutions, working together and facilitating common responses to universal challenges.
Ramaphosa raised concerns over 'vaccine nationalism', explaining that some of the richer countries had managed to acquire more doses of the vaccine than needed, resulting in the exclusion of poorer countries.
The President pleaded with these nations to release excess vaccine doses to those who need it:
"We are saying release the excess vaccines that you have hoarded. Make them available so that countries who don’t have them can have them."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Ramaphosa has confirmed that SA will soon be receiving its first consignment of Covid-19 vaccines.
This batch will be received from the Serum Institute in India, currently the world's largest vaccine producer.
Ramaphosa announced that the campaign will be arranged in a phased approach on Monday:
"It will signal the start of a mass vaccination campaign that will be the most ambitious and extensive in our country’s history. It will reach all parts of the country and will be phased to ensure that those most in need are prioritised."
The President detailed who will be prioritised in the different stages of the campaign drive:
"The first vaccines to arrive will be provided to health care workers, who will be targeted in the first phase. The second phase will include essential workers, teachers, the elderly and those with co-morbidities. The third phase will include other adults in the population."
Ramaphosa assured the nation that, through extensive negotiations and despite the higher buying power of other countries, SA will be receiving sufficient vaccines.
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Source: Briefly News
